Updated Website Prompts Immediate Outrage
The CDC revised key parts of its website on Wednesday. The new text questions long-standing scientific conclusions about vaccine safety. It suggests that studies have not ruled out a link between vaccines and autism. Experts say these claims misrepresent the evidence and mislead the public.
Language Designed to Raise Doubts
The updated bullet points argue that the phrase “vaccines do not cause autism” lacks solid evidence. The wording implies major gaps in studies on infant vaccinations. Specialists describe this as a classic method to create uncertainty. Alison Singer from the Autism Science Foundation stresses that science depends on consistent findings. She explains that researchers cannot prove an absolute negative. She says they rely instead on the strength of many clear studies.
Singer notes that evidence overwhelmingly shows vaccines do not cause autism. Her foundation highlights that no environmental factor has been studied more thoroughly than vaccines and their ingredients.
Researchers Push Back Strongly
Pediatrician Paul Offit rejects the claims on the updated site. He says science cannot prove “never,” but this limit applies to every subject. He warns that the same logic could unfairly suggest everyday foods cause disease. A spokesperson for the US health department says the CDC website will reflect high-quality science.
A senior FDA commissioner told Sanjay Gupta in a recent podcast that he does not believe vaccines cause autism. He says no medical product is perfectly safe. He warns that rigid language harms public trust and fuels confusion.
Evidence Shows No Connection
The new CDC page claims that studies showing a link were ignored. This is incorrect. Research that once claimed a connection was flawed or fraudulent. Many strong and credible studies show no relationship.
A major Danish study in 2019 followed more than 650,000 children. Roughly 6,500 were later diagnosed with autism. The researchers found no difference in autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. The result held across many factors, including other vaccines and family history. The study concluded that the MMR vaccine does not increase autism risk.
Despite its importance, this study is missing from the revised CDC page. The site instead cites older reviews and questions aluminum in vaccines. A 2025 Danish study found no link between aluminum in childhood vaccines and 50 health conditions. The CDC page still claims the data require more research.
The updated site also cites a federal investigation into autism causes. Singer calls this unnecessary and wasteful. She says evidence strongly points to genetic origins related to early brain development.
The main heading still states that vaccines do not cause autism. A footnote explains it remains because of an agreement made during the health secretary’s confirmation process.
A senator later confirmed that he discussed this issue with the secretary. He says parents need clear facts. He stresses that vaccines for measles, polio, and hepatitis B are safe and do not cause autism.
Warnings About Harmful Health Misinformation
Vaccine expert Peter Hotez says the new CDC page repeats old and debunked arguments. He cites past misinformation about MMR vaccines, thimerosal, and aluminum. He calls the updated content dangerous disinformation. He demands its immediate removal.
A former CDC immunization director wrote that the edits are “a national embarrassment.” He says staff scientists were not informed. He says actions like these contributed to recent resignations. Other experts warn that such steps deepen mistrust in public health guidance.
Politics Increasingly Shapes Vaccine Communication
The updates reflect broader efforts by the current administration to challenge established vaccine policy. The health secretary appointed advisers with long records of opposing vaccines. Some have histories of unreliable research or professional discipline. They now re-examine federal data to support conspiracy-driven claims.
Childhood vaccination rates continue to fall across the US. Diseases like measles and whooping cough are rising again. CDC disease experts warned this week that the US may lose its status as a country without sustained measles transmission.
